Champions League Final

At halftime: Juventus 0-1 Barcelona (Shweet goal!)

Since Champions League has drifted out of the ESPN universe into the Fox universe, I had forgotten about the long layoff between semis and Final that just started in the last coupla years. I thought it was over and I missed it. Lucky me then to stumble on the Super Bowl of European soccer by chance. Good day to be me.

Barca has so much offensive talent, with a 1-0 lead I expect them to hold the ball for ungodly amounts of time (think Spain crica 2010).  They may score more goals or they may be content to sit on the ball. Either way expect lots and lots of Messi.

That Juve back line is so tentative to move: soft touches, bad giveaways, stabbing instead of staying home; they better tighten up back there and swing some counter attack through the middle or they'll be toast. Juve doesn't seem that dangerous around the goal so far, but the beauty of Champions League Finals is that the last 10-15 minutes (if the game is still close) tend to be furious, all-out kinda stuff. Still tight enough now that Juve can easily come back. I'm rooting for overtime, I got nothing better to do.

(Oh yeah: hockey on tonight. Damn it feels good to be a gangster)

Juventus 1-3 Barcelona

When Juve attacked, really kicked it into the box, they were kinda spicy and they made it stick for one goal but they weren't able to keep up the attack. Suarez and Rakatic were everywhere today, Neymar and Messi had their moments but I thought it was Suarez that carried them today. Barca was better from beginning to end though Juve had plenty of good moments (they were able to tie it up) but Messi-Neymar-Saurez up front just held the ball so much, they dominated possession, really squeezed the Juve attack. Buffon made a coupla amazing saves, he played well, he was overwhelmed. Odd: closer than the score suggests...but not really.

Pirlo's playing for the Red Bulls soon?